Pages

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Outdoor Time

When we moved into our house, one of the things I was most excited about was having a backyard. A large, fully fenced backyard!

We had lived in one apartment after another. By the time we moved, we were completely over the apartment scene. The sharing walls, ceilings, and floors with neighbors. The small cramped spaces. The lack of outdoor space. We were ready to move on.

Of all the things that bothered me about living in apartments, not having a real place for the boys to play outdoors was the worse. Our last apartment did have a grassy place between the buildings with a small play area. But there was no fence between the grass and the busy parking lot. There was also an high traffic road that was fairly easy access. Not to mention all the people who lived at the apartment. There was no way I was going to let my boys play outside without me.

We did try to spend as much time as possible outside. But there was always things that needed to be done. Dinner, laundry, dishes, homework, etc.

So Bug and Monkey spent little time outside and absolutely no time unsupervised outside.

I spent nearly the entire trip from Utah to Iowa telling them how wonderful our house was, because it had a large backyard that they could play in.

The only problem...they didn't really.

I had thought they would take to the newly discovered outdoor space instantly. That they would relish their freedom.

But they didn't.

They preferred to stay inside with Hubster and me. We encouraged them to play outside, and were usually met with, "No thanks. I'm okay here."

It never occurred to me that playing unsupervised and independently might be a developed skill.

However, there seems to be nothing a long Iowan winter can't cure.

The last week has been blissfully warm and sunny. And every day I've come home to the boys running around the backyard, chasing after soccer balls, swinging baseball bats, and pushing each other on the tree swing.

We do have a backyard but it is small I wish we had a big space to run and play games. It is fine for the little girls I have but when they really want to run they have to do it at daycare- there is plenty of room to run there.

Me

I am the mother of three boys and the only girl in this family of five. I adore being a parent more than I imagined. Currently, my free time is spent as an anesthesiologist. I'm usually happy, always tired, and learning to be more laid back.

Hubster

Hubster is my wonderful husband. He is in his last year of dental school. He never fails to impress me with his patience, handy man skills, and ongoing ability to put up with all the craziness in our lives.

Bug

Bug is our amazing 12 year old. He is creative and smart, and developing an impressive sarcastic side. In addition to his love of reading (which I like to take credit for), he's also developing an interest in running, coding, and resistance to chores.

Monkey

Monkey is our happy 8 year old. He is loud, laughing, and fearless, marching to the beat of his own drum. He makes friends where ever he goes. He will talk your ear off about Pokemon and Minecraft. His imagination is boundless and his sense of style all his own.

Duck

At two years of age, Duck is the baby of the family. He's still cuddly and adorable, but working on developing the perfect tantrum. He adores his big brothers and a good snuggle almost as much as he enjoys chasing the cats.

I'm Currently Reading...

Bug and I are Reading Together...

What We Are Eating This Week

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: Hot Dogs

Wednesday: Lentil Soup

Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Fried Rice

Sunday: Salad Bar

They Said It Better...Weekly Quote

"What I can do is offer myself, wholeheartedly and present, to walk with the people I love through the fear and the mess. That's all any of us can do. That's what we're here for."